HAVERFORD, Pa. - Sunday, October 5th marked the final game of Haverford Cricket's fall season—and fittingly, it ended in sunshine, laughter, and a win. Facing Drexel University for the very first time, the Fords walked onto Cope Field determined to close out their fall campaign on a high note.
Drexel won the toss and chose to bowl, but as the clock ticked past the scheduled start, only five of their players had arrived. In true cricketing spirit, Haverford stepped up—four Fords volunteered to play for the opposition, turning the match into something that felt like a celebration of the sport itself.
Openers Agastya Singh and Rustom Dubash got Haverford off to a steady start, until an unforgettable moment early on: freshman Anish More, bowling for Drexel, dismissed Rustom with his first ball. The pavilion erupted in laughter—a Haverford freshman getting his first wicket by removing a Haverford junior. Cricket, in all its irony.
The rest of the innings was dominated by Agastya Singh, whose blistering 75 (40)—filled with three sixes and seven boundaries—continued a stunning run of form. At the other end, sophomore Nihaal Kochar played the perfect foil, crafting a composed 41 and building a 48-run partnership with Agastya. When Agastya finally fell, Sanil Kagawala carried the momentum forward, adding a fluent 34, including a towering six that had the crowd roaring. By the end of 20 overs, Haverford had posted a formidable 181/4, with captain Ishpuneet Singh adding a few quick runs at the close.
The second innings began brightly. A brilliant direct hit from Nihaal brought an early breakthrough, and the bowlers kept the pressure on. Drexel's middle order fought back, with their No. 3 and No. 4 batsmen putting together an 83-run stand—one of their sixes even broke a window in the coach's office. But, as he had done all season, Anuj Poddar found the breakthrough. His wicket (caught by Nihaal) ended the partnership and, soon after, the chase. Drexel finished at 139, giving Haverford a 42-run victory and a fitting conclusion to their season.
The day had all the things that make Haverford Cricket special—teamwork, humor, sportsmanship, and a genuine love for the game. And as the team packed up after the final handshake, it was clear that this wasn't just the end of a season—it was the start of something taking shape.
As captain Ishpuneet Singh gathered the team after the match, the air wasn't heavy with exhaustion or regret—it was light, full of pride. The fall had been a transition season: a new captain, fresh faces, and a team rediscovering its rhythm. And while the record would show both wins and losses, the real story lay in the progress.
For the freshmen and new players, the growth was remarkable. Sophomore Calder Rahn, who barely knew how to hold a bat in the first week, ended the season by cracking his first boundary—and sparking a celebration that echoed across Cope Field. Freshman Anish More worked relentlessly on his bowling and fielding, earned his first wicket (even if it came against Haverford), and quickly became one to watch. Freshmen Rameel Rizwan and Oliver Anderson brought energy and intent to every session.
Among the upperclassmen, the foundation for the future was set in stone. Nihaal Kochar's century on opening day was the kind of innings that set the tone for a season—elegant, fearless, defining. Agastya Singh blossomed into one of the team's most reliable and explosive batters, scoring a maiden century, a half-century, and that unforgettable 75 in the finale. Junior Sanil Kagawala became the heartbeat of the middle order, scoring back-to-back fifties, both unbeaten, and following them with yet another commanding knock against Drexel. His composure and consistency were the marks of a player stepping into leadership.
Junior Anuj Poddar, despite missing games through injury, finished as Haverford's leading wicket-taker of the season—a testament to his control and determination. Junior Rustom Dubash, reinventing himself as both an opening batsman and bowler, shouldered responsibility with quiet confidence. Rohan Sarma became a reliable option with both bat and ball, and sophomore Vivaan Hingad embodied the team's spirit: tireless, upbeat, and always ready to give everything for the side.
It was a season defined by persistence, rebuilding, and joy. From hard-fought defeats to record-breaking wins, Haverford Cricket found its voice again—as a team that plays with pride, humor, and heart.
When the fall ended, and the team walked back from Cope Field for the last time that year, there was no sense of finality—only promise. The spirit of this group had already carried them farther than most expected. The rest, as they say, was just the beginning.
